Newt Gingrich Fights ‘Operation Choke Point’ in Paid Role

WASHINGTON – -Former U.S. House Speaker and presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is lending his support to a new industry-backed group campaigning against a government probe of fraud against consumers in the financial system.

Mr. Gingrich is serving as a paid adviser to the U.S. Consumer Coalition, a group that launched in March in reaction to the Justice Department’s “Operation Choke Point” investigation, The federal probe focuses on whether banks and payment firms are enabling illegal activity, including offshore “payday” lenders, as well as offerings to erase debt and work-from-home schemes.